Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Borton, Folkard and Habermel (no substitutes).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)  Councillor Callaghan – Agenda Item No. 4 (Application to be Recognised as an Association for Taxi Drivers) – Non-pecuniary interest: Taxi Driver;

(b)  Councillors Jarvis – Agenda Item No. 5 (Consultation of the Proposed Gambling Policy for 2017) – Non-pecuniary interest: Member of Genting Club, the Rendezvous Casino and the Shoebury Conservative Club;

(c)  Councillor Phillips – Agenda Item No. 5 (Consultation of the Proposed Gambling Policy for 2017) – Non-pecuniary interest: Member of Genting Club and the Rendezvous Casino.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday, 3^rd September 2015 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Place) to follow

The Committee was informed that this item had been withdrawn from the Agenda on the basis that the formal application and supporting documentation had not been received.

Resolved:-

That consideration of this matter be deferred pending the receipt of a formal application and the relevant supporting information.

The Committee received an oral report and presentation from the Council’s Regulatory Services Manager on the proposed changes to the Gambling Licensing Policy Statement 2017-19. A copy of the policy statement was presented to the Committee to enable its views to be forwarded to the Cabinet as part of the consultation process. The Committee also received, for information purposes, a summary of the consultation responses that had been received to date.

The Committee considered and discussed the policy statement in some detail, and noted the requirement for applicants to carry out (and review as necessary) their local risk assessments.  Furthermore, in order to assist applicants, where there is an issue in a local area which impacts on how the applicant should complete their risk assessment, the Committee noted that it was proposed that the Licensing Authority would be publishing a local area profile (LAP). The LAP would be published as a separate document to the policy statement and would not form part of it.  An initial draft copy of the LAP was circulated at the meeting.  The Committee also noted that approval would be sought to delegate any necessary amendments to the LAP to the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) to ensure the information included within it was up to date and accurate.

Resolved:-

1.  That, subject to the amendment of the term “Criminal Records Bureau” to “DBS” or “Disclosure” check in paragraphs 25.2 and 27.1, the proposed changes to the Gambling Licensing Policy Statement 2017-19 be supported.

2.  That the Cabinet be recommended to approve the publication of the LAP as a separate document to the policy statement and that the LAP should include, amongst other things, areas of depravation to assist in the completion of risk assessments.

The Committee received an oral report and presentation from the Council’s Regulatory Services Manager which provided Members with a brief update on the following matters:

- Sex establishments and Sex entertainment venues

- Animal Licensing

- Massage and special treatment licensing

- Scrap metal licensing

- Licensing Act 2003

Resolved:-

1.  That the report be noted

2.  That the amendment of  Part 3 Schedule 3 – Delegations to Officers to include the determination of applications and renewals of Animal Licences by the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) be noted.